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"I have all these ideas, but I don’t know where to start."
"Should I just write and figure it out later?"
"How do I structure my book so it doesn’t fall apart midway?"
If you’ve ever wrestled with these thoughts, you’re not alone. Many indie writers—especially those just starting—struggle with turning their ideas into structured, engaging manuscripts. In our last blog, we explored prewriting, where brainstorming and research fuel creativity.
Now, let’s take the next step: outlining—your blueprint for a clear, well-paced manuscript.
But here’s the catch: outlining fiction is different from outlining nonfiction. While novels thrive on storytelling arcs, nonfiction (history, memoir, autobiography) demands accuracy and structure. So, how do you outline your manuscript effectively? Let’s break it down.
Fiction vs. Nonfiction: The Core Differences in Outlining
Aspect | Fiction | Nonfiction (History, Memoir, Autobiography) |
Purpose | To tell an engaging, imaginative story. | To inform, reflect, or persuade with factual content. |
Structure | Often follows a narrative arc (beginning, middle, end). | Can be chronological, thematic, or argument-driven. |
Key Elements | Characters, conflict, setting, themes, climax, resolution. | Facts, research, events, personal experiences, analysis. |
Flexibility | High: Writers can invent, alter, or reimagine details. | Low: Requires accuracy, supporting evidence, and citations. |
Research Required? | Depends on the genre (historical fiction needs more research than fantasy). | Extensive research is needed for credibility, especially in history. |
Outlining Style | May use the three-act structure, the Hero’s Journey, or scene cards. | Often chapter-based, using a timeline, key events, or themes. |
Revision Process | More flexible—rewrites may include plot changes. | Less flexible—factual accuracy must be preserved. |
So, how do you apply this to your manuscript? Let’s explore outlining techniques for each category.
Fiction Outlining: Structuring Your Story for Maximum Impact
Fiction writing is all about storytelling. But even the most creative minds need structure to keep their plot tight, characters engaging, and pacing smooth. Outlining prevents sagging middles, confusing storylines, and dead ends.
Common Fiction Outlining Methods
1. The Three-Act Structure
A tried-and-true storytelling model used in books, movies, and plays:
• Act 1 (Setup): Introduces the protagonist, setting, and stakes.
• Act 2 (Conflict): The protagonist faces obstacles, experiences growth, and moves toward a climactic moment.
• Act 3 (Resolution): The climax unfolds, conflicts are resolved, and character arcs conclude.
Example: In a mystery novel, Act 1 might introduce a detective and a shocking murder case. Act 2 presents twists, misleading clues, and a personal struggle for the detective. Act 3 delivers the shocking revelation of the murderer and the resolution of loose ends.
2. The Snowflake Method
Ideal for writers who like to start small and build up:
• Begin with a one-sentence summary of the story.
• Expand it into a paragraph, adding conflict and stakes.
• Develop key characters, main conflicts, and subplots.
• Continue expanding until a full, detailed outline is achieved.
Example: A writer starts with: “A detective investigates a locked-room murder in a remote mansion.” They expand it to a paragraph about the detective’s personal struggles, the suspects, and the eerie setting. Soon, they add character backgrounds, detailed scene breakdowns, and motivations before starting the first draft.
3. The Hero’s Journey
Popular in fantasy and adventure, this method charts a protagonist’s transformation.
• Ordinary World: The hero’s normal life.
• Call to Adventure: An event disrupts the status quo.
• Mentor and Challenges: The hero faces trials and learns.
• Crisis and Transformation: The hero reaches a turning point.
• Return Home: The hero, changed, faces the final challenge.
Example: In a mystery, the hero could be an amateur sleuth who initially refuses to get involved in solving a crime, only to be drawn in deeper as the case becomes personal. Through trials, they gain new insight, eventually cracking the case in an unexpected way.
4. Scene Cards / Story Beats
For a more flexible approach, writers break the story into key scenes or moments and arrange them for pacing.
• Each scene moves the plot forward.
• Cards or digital notes can be shuffled and reorganized.
• Ensures balance between action, dialogue, and character development.
Example: The detective finds a key piece of evidence → A red herring leads them astray → A character’s backstory sheds light on a motive → A final confrontation reveals the killer.
Example Outline for a Fiction Novel (Mystery Genre)
Title: The Silent Witness
1. Introduction:
• Detective Evelyn Grant, a seasoned but world-weary investigator, arrives in a small coastal town for what should be a routine vacation.
• She meets a reclusive author, Malcolm Drake, who tells her about a decades-old unsolved murder at the town’s lighthouse.
2. Inciting Incident:
• The author is found dead under mysterious circumstances, with only his unfinished manuscript as a clue.
• Evelyn, reluctant to get involved, finds herself drawn in when she discovers the manuscript contains eerie similarities to real-life events.
3. Rising Action:
• Evelyn investigates the town’s past, uncovering old grudges, lost evidence, and townspeople with secrets to hide.
• A witness claims to have seen someone near Malcolm’s house on the night of his death but refuses to talk.
• A break-in at Evelyn’s rental house suggests she’s getting too close.
4. Climax:
• She deciphers the hidden message in Malcolm’s manuscript, realizing it points to the lighthouse as the scene of a long-buried crime.
• Confronting the killer, she’s forced into a life-or-death struggle inside the storm-battered lighthouse.
5. Resolution:
• The truth comes out: Malcolm had uncovered the identity of the original murderer, who killed again to protect their secret.
• Justice is served, and Evelyn, shaken but victorious, leaves town knowing that some mysteries demand to be solved.
A structured outline doesn’t limit creativity—it guides it. Think of it as a roadmap: you can always take detours, but you won’t get lost.
Nonfiction Outlining: Bringing Clarity to Real Stories
Nonfiction, unlike fiction, must stay grounded in facts, research, and real-life experiences. Whether writing history, a memoir, or an autobiography, your outline should ensure clarity, credibility, and engagement.
Different Nonfiction Outlining Methods
1. Chronological Outline
This method organizes content by time, making it ideal for memoirs, biographies, and history books. Events unfold as they happened, giving readers a clear timeline of growth, struggle, or discovery.
Example: A memoir about a musician’s rise to fame might start with their childhood love for music, follow their early career struggles, and lead to their eventual success and reflection on their journey.
2. Thematic Outline
Instead of following a timeline, this method structures content by themes or lessons. It is common in leadership, self-help, or business books where different concepts are explored rather than a strict sequence of events.
Example: A book on overcoming adversity could have chapters focused on resilience, mindset shifts, the power of mentorship, and turning failure into growth rather than telling a chronological story.
3. Argument-Based Outline
Used in academic, historical, or persuasive nonfiction, this outline builds on a central argument, with each chapter reinforcing a key point. This structure ensures that every chapter contributes to a logical progression of ideas.
Example: A book on climate change might start with scientific evidence, discuss industrial impacts, examine policy solutions, and conclude with a call to action.
Example Outline for an Autobiography
Title: Against the Current – A Life Story
1. Early Life: The Foundations
• Growing up in a small town with limited opportunities.
• Childhood influences, such as a teacher who encouraged curiosity and ambition.
• A defining moment: Witnessing a parent’s struggle with financial hardships, which shaped a lifelong drive for success.
2. Defining Moments: Overcoming Obstacles
• The first major challenge: Failing a crucial exam and learning resilience.
• Leaving home for the first time to attend university with no financial safety net.
• A chance encounter with a mentor who provided guidance and helped change the course of life.
3. Career & Achievements: A Path to Success
• Starting from the bottom in an industry dominated by experienced professionals.
• Facing rejection and self-doubt but learning persistence.
• The breakthrough: A bold decision that led to a career-defining success.
• Growth and achievements: Awards, milestones, and the realization that success is a continuous journey.
4. Life Lessons & Reflection: Wisdom Gained
• The greatest lessons from failure and resilience.
• Reflections on personal and professional success, balancing ambition with well-being.
• The importance of mentorship and giving back to the next generation.
• Closing thoughts: What truly matters in the end and the legacy left behind.
While fiction allows imaginative twists, nonfiction requires solid research and structure. A clear outline prevents messy, disorganized storytelling.
Choosing the Right Outline for Your Project
Still unsure how to structure your manuscript? Here’s a quick guide:
Writing a novel? → Use storytelling techniques like the Three-Act Structure or Hero’s Journey to create a gripping narrative.
Writing a memoir? → Balance personal reflection with chronological storytelling to keep it engaging and authentic.
Writing history? → Ensure your research is thorough and structure your book around key events and their impact.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Find what works for you and adapt as you go.
Final Thoughts: Structure Gives You Freedom
Outlining doesn’t have to be rigid it’s your safety net, not a cage. Even the best-selling authors outline in some form, adapting and revising along the way.
If you’ve been struggling with structuring your manuscript, don’t panic. Start simple. Write down your main idea, break it into sections, and organize it in a way that makes sense. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Your story whether fiction or nonfiction deserves a strong foundation. Take the time to outline, and you’ll find writing becomes smoother, more enjoyable, and ultimately, more powerful.
Let’s Talk Outlining!
Try outlining your next project and see how it transforms your writing process. Which outlining method works best for you? Share in the comments!
Need help refining your outline? Our book production team is here to help—let’s chat!
Happy writing!
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